Behavioral, Cognitive and Neural Markers of Asperger Syndrome

Asperger syndrome (AS) is a subtype of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) characterized by major problems in social and nonverbal communication, together with limited and repetitive forms of behavior and interests. The linguistic and cognitive development in AS is preserved which help us to differentiate it from other subtypes of ASD. However, significant effects of AS on cognitive abilities and brain functions still need to be researched. Although a clear cut pathology for Asperger has not been identified yet, recent studies have largely focused on brain imaging techniques to investigate AS. In this regard, we carried out a systematic review on behavioral, cognitive, and neural markers (specifically using MRI and fMRI) studies on AS. In this paper, behavior, motor skills and language capabilities of individuals with Asperger are compared to those in healthy controls. In addition, common findings across MRI and fMRI based studies associated with behavior and cognitive disabilities are highlighted.&nbsp

Brain Structural Correlates of Intelligence in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Individuals

Introduction: Neuroimaging evidence has shown the relationship of intelligence with several structural brain properties in normal individuals. However, this relationship with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) needs to be investigated. Methods: We estimated grey matter (GM) density of the brain using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan on 56 ADHD individuals, including 30 combined individuals (Mean±SD age: 10.44±2.41, intelligence quotient: [IQ]=112.13±13.15, male, 24 right hands) and 26 inattentive individuals (mean age =11.39±2.1, IQ=107.44±13.98, male, 28 right hands) as well as 30 IQ matched healthy control group (mean age=11.08±2.15, IQ=115±13.56, male, 23 right hands). Results: In this study, two statistical approaches were used. In the first approach, region-based as well as the whole association patterns between full-scale IQ and GM were computed and compared between groups. The second approach was to examine the differential pattern of GM density without considering IQ in three groups. Conclusion: Results showed significant differences between the ADHD group and the control. This finding could indicate that intelligence is not purely based on the density of GM in certain brain regions; it is a dynamic phenomenon and drastically changes neurodevelopmental disorders

Aberrant epigenetic regulators control expansion of human CD34+ hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells

Transcription is a tightly regulated process ensuring the proper expression of numerous genes regulating all aspects of cellular behavior. Transcription factors regulate multiple genes including other transcription factors that together control a highly complex gene network. The transcriptional machinery can be “hijacked” by oncogenic transcription factors, thereby leading to malignant cell transformation. Oncogenic transcription factors manipulate a variety of epigenetic control mechanisms to fulfill gene regulatory and cell transforming functions. These factors assemble epigenetic regulators at target gene promoter sequences, thereby disturbing physiological gene expression patterns. Retroviral vector technology and the availability of “healthy” human hematopoietic CD34+ progenitor cells enable the generation of pre-leukemic cell models for the analysis of aberrant human hematopoietic progenitor cell expansion mediated by leukemogenic transcription factors. This review summarizes recent findings regarding the mechanism by which leukemogenic gene products control human hematopoietic CD34+ progenitor cell expansion by disrupting the normal epigenetic program